[Paddlewise] More Thoughts on Towing

	Thanks Ralph for mentioning bangers and Fosters.  Just the thought makes
me queasy.  I agree with your comment on lifting the cockpit cover.  I am
working on a Mark II version.  My first effort was a scramble to get
something going. 

	More thoughts on towing.  A tow rope of around 25m is de rigeur in the
NSWSKC,  using cordage of a diameter around 4mm.  The logic appears to be
you can get cordage of ample strength in this size for the intended
purpose, and you can efficiently stow such cordage in a small bag.
	
	One method is to attach this flat bag  with a velcroed opening to the
stern deck, with one end of the line running forward and attached by a
carabiner alongside the cockpit. The other end fastened to the kayak[er] by
a method which depends on personal preference and make of kayak. 
	On the Klepper I have made up a  cordage loop on the stern deck, the ends
passing through the rudder line holes in the boomerang fitting and lashed
around the rib below. This loop has a carabiner also, which clips on to the
other [tower's] end of the line.  This gives you a tow pivot point nearly
half way up the boat which I like.
	 The idea is to spread the shock and the load.  And the idea of building
in a metre or so of shock cord into the run of the tow line itself seems
worthwhile for a more comfortable tow in a sea.
	This all seems to work OK but I question how many occasions suit a tow
rope.  We have mentioned the seasick scenario. I can also see a use for a
tow rope say at the end of a long day when one paddler is below par and the
group needs to make landfall.
	This is my experience:  at the end of a long day's paddle  a group splits
up, just when tiredness/sickness/hypothermia/wrong decision making become
factors.  This of course is when good leadership comes in, but that is a
whole new can of worms.  I can see a tow rope being useful in this
situation, if the 'slowcoach' has the humility to accept a helping tow.
	Our practice day indicated to myself and PeterO that towing a loaded kayak
into any sort of sea unassisted [ ie, the towee either barely able or
unable to help paddle] would be strictly a limited exercise. I am talking
about paddling upwind into say 20 knots plus. 
	Another factor is that on a group paddle the individual paddlers have tow
systems which are compatible.   This allows for two, even more towers to
work together.
	And the big question is tangling the rudder. I cannot see how this
possibility can be avoided with any delta rudder head arrangement.  And the
bigger the sea, the more the likelihood.  Murphy's Law.
	Has any P/Wiser towed in a REAL rescue situation over any length of time
who could offer insight?

	PeterR
	Wollongong
	Australia
	

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